L-Acoustics Announces Acquisition of HGP and API

MARCOUSSIS, France – L-Acoustics announced its acquisition of sheet metal manufacturer HGP and an affiliated company, API, which specializes in powder coatings. The acquisition is cited as a potential boon to L-Acoustics’ R&D efforts. Pictured here, from left, are Hervé Guillaume, managing director, L-Acoustics, and Bertrand Bounoure, president and commercial director of HGP and API.

L-Acoustics, worldwide market leader in premium professional audio solutions, headquartered near Paris, France, and HGP, a manufacturer of precision sheet metal, based in Amboise, France, jointly announce the acquisition of HGP and its sister entity API, specialized in powder coating, by L-Acoustics.

L-Acoustics presently employs over 400 people worldwide and has generated an increase in revenue at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 15% since the company was founded in 1984. A robust R&D focus, combined with ongoing efforts to optimize operations, guides L-Acoustics in this decision to broaden the scope of industrial know-how to englobe precision sheet metal manufacturing, which is used in rigging and internal loudspeaker components. HGP currently employs close to 50 people.

“This operation represents a new and extremely positive step in augmenting our R&D and production capabilities,” explains Hervé Guillaume, Managing Director of L-Acoustics. “This alliance will allow us to improve our technical skill set and market intelligence regarding precision sheet metal, a vital technology in our professional audio solutions. HGP’s expertise and savoir-faire are highly complementary to our own, enabling us to better comprehend the constraints and specificities of the trade at every stage, from conception to production.”

For Bertrand Bounoure, President and Commercial Director of HGP, “This constitutes a natural extension of a decade-long, successful supplier-client relationship between two growing companies with shared interests and objectives. We are delighted to pool our resources and abilities.”

Jérôme Dolou, Purchasing Director, L-Acoustics, one of the key contacts to regularly interface with HGP, adds, “Our interactions with HGP as a key supplier are win-win: quality, dependability, logistical excellence, and above all, a highly nimble approach to rapid prototyping. All this brings serenity and comfort in the planning and production process. We’re thrilled to reinforce this dynamic collaboration.”

L-Acoustics has previously demonstrated a successful track record in integrating acquisitions of companies who were formerly component suppliers. In 2007, L-Acoustics acquired Simea in eastern France, a carpentry and cabinetry manufacturer specialized in loudspeaker enclosures. Since that acquisition, Simea’s staff (20 employees in 2007) has quadrupled and their revenue has increased seven-fold. More recently, in 2016, L-Acoustics acquired CAMCO, a German electronics firm with expertise in amplification and DSP.

“From the very beginning of L-Acoustics, excellence in products and services, as well as long term investment in human and technical resources, have been key tenets of our strategy,” declares Hervé Guillaume. “Fiscal 2017 was exceptional with 24% year over year revenue growth. Similarly, 2018 is wrapping up in a climate of optimism with remarkable interest and uptake surrounding our latest audio innovation: L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound. World-renowned artists including Ennio Morricone, alt-J, Childish Gambino, Christine and the Queens and other early adopters have already achieved great results, with more to be announced. This clear momentum will allow L-Acoustics to further consolidate our global leadership.”